 | Higher Degrees by Research Available |
Candidature
Candidature :: Supervision :: Candidature
Agreement :: Enrolment and Induction :: Enrolment
and Induction :: Full-time / Part-time candidature :: Leave
from Studies :: Extension of Time :: Withdrawal :: Lapse
of candidature :: Unsatisfactory progress :: Termination :: Student
Evaluation of the Postgraduate Program (SEPP) :: Grievances and Problems During Candidature
Candidature
The period of candidature is prescribed by Regulation 5.1.
Please refer to the appropriate part for your particular degree:
http://www.ballarat.edu.au/vco/legal/legislation/
Supervision
At the University of Ballarat , all students are allocated a Principal Supervisor
and an Associate Supervisor(s). All Supervisors must be approved
and on the Register of Supervisors.
Candidature Agreement
When admitted to candidature all students are required to sign a letter
which sets out the terms and conditions of their candidature.
This is an agreement between the candidate and the University regarding the topic
of research, supervision arrangements, the outline or plan of the research
program and the timetable for completion. The following matters are covered
in the 'Agreement':
- the details of candidature approved by the Committee;
- the supervision arrangements;
- confirmation of candidature details;
- progress report requirements;
- coursework required together with any advanced
standing granted;
- if specialist resources and facilities are required
then these will be stated in the application process.
Please ensure that these are detailed in your application form;
- any special
conditions which apply to the candidature, including
restrictions on intellectual property and requirements for ethical
approval;
- details
of the materials to be presented for examination and
the nature of the examination;
- ethics approval details;
- Professional Doctorate candidates will have a specific
outline of the research program with a timetable for
completion including major milestones and progress review dates;
- attendance at
the Graduate Centre Program;
- scholarship conditions; and
- any additional requirements such as presentation
of work at seminars.
The intention of the 'Agreement' is to set out the expectations of all
parties regarding your candidature. It is accepted that circumstances change
and that it may be necessary to amend the 'Agreement' during candidature.
Changes can be made at any time, but must be approved by the Research Higher
Degrees Committee which meets on a regular basis. Applications for any
changes should be made through the Mid Year and Annual Progress reviews.
The approved application form, ' Miscellaneous Request', can
be downloaded. Please click on the website link:
Miscellaneous
Request
The schedule of meetings of the RHDC can be reviewed on the following web
page:
http://www.ballarat.edu.au/ard/ubresearch/rgso/committees/rhdc.shtml
Enrolment and Induction
In the early stages of your candidature, an induction program will be conducted
by the Research and Graduate Studies Office. This will include a guide
to the nature of research in your field and a description of the facilities
available at the University.
The Induction Program includes:
- your responsibilities and rights as a candidate;
- the nature and process of
supervised research in the discipline, and the characteristic
stages towards completion of your thesis/portfolio;
- the role of the
Principal Supervisor and others involved in your supervision;
- ethical
matters regarding research;
- intellectual property, and authorship
of publications;
- the grievance procedures under which you may
make representation if significant difficulties arise
during your candidature;
- safety procedures appropriate to the discipline;
and
- any special conditions which apply, such as restrictions on
disclosure of research outcomes associated with sponsorship
of the candidature or the research project.
It is your responsibility to complete the formal requirements for enrolment,
re-enrolment and all other conditions of candidature detailed in Regulation
5.1.
Changing Supervisor
The RHDC can approve changes to your supervision arrangements, if this proves
necessary. This will happen if the supervisor leaves the University, but
it could also be appropriate if another staff member possesses greater expertise
or experience in the research area. A less common reason, but no less important,
is when the supervisory arrangements prove to be unsatisfactory.
Candidates applying for a change of supervisor need to complete the ' Miscellaneous
Request' form.
Please click on the website link:
Miscellaneous
Request
Full-time / Part-time candidature
If you wish to change to full-time/part-time candidature, you should apply
to the RHDC in writing stating the reasons for the requested change. You
must obtain the support of your Principal Supervisor and Head of School.
Candidates applying change to full-time/part-time candidature need to complete
the ' Miscellaneous Request' form at:
Please click on the website link:
Miscellaneous
Request
Leave from Studies
Candidates are expected to pursue their research programs without interruption.
However, circumstances sometimes occur which disrupt your program and
it may be sensible to consider taking 'Leave from Study' until those
circumstances are resolved. An extended period of illness or some difficult
personal problem might be best handled in this way. The RHDC is reluctant
to grant 'Leave from Study' for more than 12 months in total over the
whole candidature. The RHDC will not generally grant 'Leave from Study'
during the first twelve months of candidature unless there are exceptional
circumstances.
If you wish to apply for 'Leave from Study', you should first discuss the circumstances
with your Principal Supervisor, or the Research and Graduate Studies Office.
The application should be supported by the Principal Supervisor and a medical
certificate where appropriate. All work on the research must stop during the
period of 'Leave from Study'. All application forms for Leave from Study must
be lodged at the Research and Graduate Office.
To apply for a Semester's Leave, please complete the Leave from Study
form on the following web page. Leave from Study forms must be lodged
at the Research and Graduate Studies Office prior to the 1 March for Semester
1, and prior to the 1 August, for Semester 2:
http://www.ballarat.edu.au/aasp/student/admin/he/services.shtml
Annual Leave and Sick leave should be reported to the Research & Graduate
Studies Office by completing a
Leave Absentee Form
(PDF) .
Following a period of Leave from Studies, you must notify the Research and Graduate
Studies Office in writing within two weeks of resuming work on the degree
program. Scholarship holders are advised to contact the Research & Graduate
Studies Office two weeks in advance of resuming study to avoid delays in
scholarship payments.
Extension of Time
An application for an extension of time will only be approved if a suitable case
is made and a detailed timetable for the completion of the program is provided.
Requests for changes to the period of candidature should be made in writing
to the Research and Graduate Studies Office and must be supported by your
Principal Supervisor and Head of School.
The application form can be downloaded from:
Please click on the website link:
Miscellaneous
Request
All forms must be submitted to the Research and Graduate Studies Office.
Withdrawal
If you are considering withdrawing from your degree program
you should first discuss the matter with your Principal Supervisor
and the Head of School. Formal withdrawal requires written advice to the
Research and Graduate Studies Office.
The application form can be downloaded from:
http://www.ballarat.edu.au/aasp/student/admin/he/services.shtml
All forms must be submitted to the Research and Graduate Studies Office.
Readmission after withdrawal may be possible provided that the application
is supported by the Head of School and approved by the RHDC. A request
to resume the original research topic or to be given credit for work
done during the earlier candidature will be considered on its merits.
Lapse of candidature
Your candidature will lapse if you do not comply with the formal requirements
of candidature including enrolment procedures. Following a lapse of candidature,
re-instatement is possible under certain circumstances. Applications must
be made in writing through your Head of School to the Research and Graduate
Studies Office.
Candidates wishing to re-apply need to complete the ' Miscellaneous Request'
form, the application form can be downloaded.
Please click on the website link:
Miscellaneous
Request
Unsatisfactory progress
If you have any problem, which impedes the progress of the research program,
such as access to facilities or equipment, or with research methodology,
you should discuss it with your Principal Supervisor as soon as possible.
Personal or health problems, which affect the progress of the degree
program, should also be discussed so that arrangements for 'Leave from
Study' can be made if necessary. The Executive Officer RHDC is also
available for confidential discussions and advice.
A Show Cause hearing will be scheduled by the RHDC to review all student
cases that have been reported by the School as unsatisfactory progress.
Termination
Under Regulation 5.1: Progression; states that, under particular circumstances,
the RHDC can terminate candidature.
A person whose candidature is terminated can appeal against the decision
of the RHDC and advice on how to proceed may be obtained from the
Executive Officer RHDC. The following web pages contain the relevant
policies and procedures:
Regulation 5.1 - The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Masters
Degrees by Research and Professional Doctorates:
http://www.ballarat.edu.au/vco/legal/legislation/Legislation_pdf/Chapter5/r5%271doctorates.pdf
Academic Board - Appeals Procedure
http://guerin.ballarat.edu.au/vco/legal/legislation/Legislation_pdf/Chapter2/r2%272appealscomm.pdf
Student Evaluation of the Postgraduate Program (SEPP)
A SEPP questionnaire will be forwarded directly to all enrolled students during
June each year. Students are encouraged to complete the questionnaire and
return it to the Research and Graduate Studies Office by the 1 August. The
questionnaire is confidential and the only identifier on the form is the
name of the School.
To review the 'SEPP questionnaires' please refer to the following web page:
http://www.ballarat.edu.au/ard/ubresearch/hdrs/sepp.shtml
Grievances and Problems During Candidature
If you experience problems during your candidature, it is important that
they are tackled without delay so that progress is not unduly impeded.
In general, problems are best solved without recourse to formal complaint.
The first contact is normally your Principal Supervisor.
The following web pages provide details on the relevant policies and procedures:
Academic Board
http://www.ballarat.edu.au/vco/legal/
Policy - Student Grievance
http://www.ballarat.edu.au/vco/legal/Policies/Student_Grievance_Policy.pdf
You are welcome to seek informal advice or assistance from the University of Ballarat
Postgraduate Association .
BACK TO TOP
| 
